Change of mind could pay dividends
A second thought might be rewarded with a major prize at Hawera today for Chris and Dick Bothwell.
The Stratford trainers hadn’t initially planned to run the lightlyraced Gordys Gesture at the meeting but had a rethink when they saw the entries for the Energy City Motors Hawera Open.
“We didn’t originally put him in because it was an open handicap but the nominations weren’t overly strong,” Chris Bothwell said.
“There aren’t any other suitable races around for him for the next few weeks either so we thought we’d run him.”
Raced by his Taumarunui breeder Denny Mortimer, Gordys Gesture has had only 19 starts and the seven-year-old has won three races.
“He didn’t come in until he was a late three-year-old. He’s needed time and he doesn’t handle the good tracks,” Bothwell said.
Gordys Gesture has already rewarded connections this preparation with a dominant performance to score at Waverley two runs back and he then finished fifth at New Plymouth.
“He didn’t help himself at all last time out by missing the kick, but he came home really well,” Bothwell said.
Gordys Gesture has yet to tackle a middle distance, but he has been strong to the line to weigh in both times at 1800m and the extra distance isn’t expected to trouble him.
“We don’t think staying’s going to be a problem to him,” Bothwell said.
Savile Row remains on target to make his Australian debut at Flemington next month.
“At this stage, he will kick off in the Bobbie Lewis over 1200 metres,” said Jonathan Scully, racing manager for breeder-owner Kevin Hickman. “He’s settled in well at the stable and he’s looking fantastic.”
Savile Row was a multiple Group One placegetter last season from the Matamata stable of Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard, with the former to now guide the Makfi four-year-old’s future from his Flemington base.
Gingernuts’ spring preparation was furthered at Te Teko on Tuesday with the dual Group One winner enjoying a quiet 1000m trial.
“He had a nice day out and he’s a lot bigger this year,” said Jamie Richards, who trains in partnership with Stephen Autridge.
“He’ll probably trial again and kick off in the Tarzino Trophy at Hawke’s Bay.
“He’ll be entered for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and whether he runs on the last two days at Hawke’s Bay before he goes we’re not sure just yet.”
Gingernuts’ younger brother Griffin, the winner of his only start last season, also stretched his legs in a 1000m heat.
“He just ran home under his own steam and we’re happy with him,” Richards said.
Time will bring out the best in the highly-regarded colt Mofara.
The Iffraaj three-year-old, who hasn’t raced since he finished runner-up to the unbeaten Bostonian at Hastings in April, wasn’t put under pressure at Tuesday’s Te Teko trials when finishing midfield in a 1000m heat.
“We’re really happy with him and once he learns what he’s doing he’s going to be a pretty talented horse,” said David Browne, who trains with his wife Emma-lee.
“He may go to Hawke’s Bay for a special conditions race on the first day and he could be a Guineas horse.”
Group Two winner Saracino is closing in on his first appearance from Michael Moroney’s Flemington stable.
“He’ll probably kick off in an 1100-metre Listed race at Caulfield in about three weeks’ time,” he said.
“He seems to have come up nicely. He’s had a couple of gallops up here and he looks terrific.”